ENGROSSING

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does engrossing mean? 

• ENGROSSING (adjective)
  The adjective ENGROSSING has 1 sense:

1. capable of arousing and holding the attention

  Familiarity information: ENGROSSING used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ENGROSSING (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Capable of arousing and holding the attention

Synonyms:

absorbing; engrossing; fascinating; gripping; riveting

Context example:

a fascinating story

Similar:

interesting (arousing or holding the attention)

 Context examples 

But poor Harriet was such an engrossing charge!

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

That the engrossing object of—HEEP—was, next to gain, to subdue Mr. and Miss W. (of his ulterior views in reference to the latter I say nothing) entirely to himself.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

At first there seemed danger of Lydia's engrossing him entirely, for she was a most determined talker; but being likewise extremely fond of lottery tickets, she soon grew too much interested in the game, too eager in making bets and exclaiming after prizes to have attention for anyone in particular.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

He had received a consignment of books upon philology and was settling down to develop this thesis when suddenly, to my sorrow and to his unfeigned delight, we found ourselves, even in that land of dreams, plunged into a problem at our very doors which was more intense, more engrossing, and infinitely more mysterious than any of those which had driven us from London.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

My apprehensions of being disparaged to the object of my engrossing affection were revived when we went into the drawing-room, by the grim and distant aspect of Miss Murdstone.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)